Finding a Way
Intern Experience - YL College
Extra Service Means More Ministry - Young Life Military
3 BIG QUESTIONS
At the end of my sabbatical this summer I found myself asking, “Why do I still work for Young Life?” I had lost a sense of the “why” behind this work. That was about the time I came across my new friend, Kara Powell. Her spoken words and writing impacted me so much, that I sat down with her for an interview in September. She helped me rediscover the unique value we offer in Young Life and the importance of our work today.
I’d love to share with you what I found so impactful in my conversation with Kara, and how we are going to implement what we learned in our area.
Kara is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and leads a team that creates research based approaches for youth ministries, churches, and parents. She has authored numerous books: “Sticky Faith,” “Growing Young,” and her new book “Three Big Questions that Change Every Teenager” to name a few.
Her research in “Three Big Questions” finds that this generation of kids under 18 is unlike any generation America has ever seen and can be summarized in three markers.
This generation is diverse. The 2021 census data shows that half of kids today are kids of color, and the country continues to trend towards higher levels of diversity. Also worth noting, is that ¼ of kids are 1st or 2nd generation immigrants.
This generation is anxious. Teenage anxiety rates have tripled and depression rates have quadrupled in the last few years. Data shows that half of kids today struggle with anxiety or depression.
This generation is adaptable. Kids have developed adaptability in recent years through hardship and are more aware and active in societal changes. Kids are engaged in “change,” and today are a significant force leaning into a variety of social changes.
Kara shares that the Church (including Young Life) is answering questions that kids aren’t asking. Her extensive surveys and research find that kids today are asking three simple yet profound questions. These are not new questions BUT the intensity and complexity that kids today are contemplating these questions at is at a level most adults cannot relate to.
The first question is, “Who am I?” (Identity). “How do I view myself?” As Kara shares in her book, we are rarely the sole influence on our identity. With the millions of words and ideas that are thrust in front of us each day, it is no wonder why kids are confused and looking for “handholds” as they search for their identity. Kara shares that a heartbreaking truth is that a majority of kids today believe they aren't enough.
The second question is, “Where do I fit?” (Belonging). “How do I connect with others?” With more “connection” available to kids through technology, kids are lonely. How do I connect with others, and where can I be myself? This question has a lot to do with safety and an empathetic space for kids to be authentic.
The third question kids are asking is “What difference can I make? (Purpose). “What is my contribution to the world?” Kids today, as I mentioned above, are engaged in change. They are outward focused and want to know how they put their passion towards work that makes an impact.
I believe that when Young Life is “working” we are experts in walking alongside kids as they navigate these questions. We can be and in many cases are world class guides in this journey.
Here are some ways we are using this book and content going forward in our area:
Centralize the “Three Big Questions” content and tools in our new leader training. These resources provide context and tools to immediately interact with kids where they are today. A major theme Kara covers is adults learning empathy, to “sit on the curb with a kids… to meet them where they are. We are built for this and can continue to get better and adapt to today’s kids.
Ensure the themes of identity and belonging are in our programmatic DNA. Are we weaving “identity” into our Club and Campaigners content?
Take an honest look at our environments like Club and Camp and ask if these create a place of belonging for kids? What can we do to create safety?
Re-up our efforts to get kids to experience “purpose” with service opportunities like Work Crew, Capernaum Buddies, and other opportunities.
I’d love to hear how you use and are inspired by Kara’s work.
Please consider buying her book and/or watching my interview with Kara. I hope you are encouraged as we pour our lives into kids and reminded of the role we play as Young Life Leaders.
Article written by: Andy Morman
Global Volunteers Archive
Equipping your leaders has never been more important, and now even easier. For the past four years, we've shared resources, ideas, training, and encouragement to help you build up your volunteers to be world class leaders in ministry. We compiled them all in one place to make it even easier for you to access the content you need to share with your team!
A GOOD TESTIMONY
“Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.”
-Psalms 107:2 NLT
“I’m sorry, I don’t have a good testimony!”
Have you heard these words from a friend who was convinced of such? Or perhaps you have even uttered them yourself. Well, it’s time to figure out what that statement actually means.
Looking at the origin of a testimony, the word comes from the world of jurisprudence…
“An assertion of firsthand authentication of a fact.”
If that is what a testimony truly is, how is it possible to have a “bad” assertion of?
Well, it’s BAD if it was NOT first-hand, or NOT an assertion, or NOT a fact. Other than those reasons…you’re good!
Because, and here’s the secret, you are NOT the star of your life’s testimony.
If you’ve given your life to Jesus, then He is the Star; He is the Focal point of your story;
He is the one who is worthy of the praise, accolades & worship of your transformation. Hear me clearly…your testimony isn’t about your badness, it’s about His goodness. In fact, ‘your’ life isn’t even yours anymore.
Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This verse helps me understand that my testimony isn’t about me. It’s about Christ living in me…that is what’s incredible & life-changing & worth sharing.
The life-altering fact that Christ is alive in me and He is the one who takes center stage and the spotlight.
When the caterpillar builds its chrysalis - we don’t celebrate until the butterfly emerges.
Y’all, the transformation that God does on us, in us & despite us is the absolute Miracle.
His work is in the transformation of the Death to Life.
Don’t get caught focusing upon the caterpillar when the butterfly is the result of the beautiful and miraculous transformational power of God.
Let’s camp there.
If we can’t get excited about this. We probably shouldn’t be sharing our story in the first place.
If we feel that the more pain we sustain and sin we commit sweetens our testimony, we are trying to take the spotlight from Jesus. And that, my friends, is a BAD testimony.
To build a “good” testimony, just takes a few things:
An Eye Witness: I WAS THERE. First-Hand experience only. (No hearsay allowed.)
An Event: THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. The Moment we came face to face with Jesus.
The Facts: THIS IS HOW CHRIST CHANGED ME. The Transformation.
The Result: FROM HERE FORWARD. My New Direction.
That’s it. Don’t fall into the trap that many do. “The more sin = the ‘mo better’ testimony.
Also, many believers listen to the lies that their stories aren’t worth sharing - for lack of a ‘wow factor.’
That cannot be further from the truth. For those who have difficult or tough backgrounds are so incredibly encouraged by people who have stories unlike their own. When they hear a story of a loving Father and/or Mother who prayed for their kids and taught them the truth of the Gospel, that, my friends, gives them hope for their own family’s futures.
They hear from you these four simple words: It. Can. Be. Different. That is incredibly encouraging.
We have forgotten that the purpose of sharing one’s testimony isn’t for your personal exaltation, but for His Glory.
The gospel is good news - why do we so often fixate upon, or even honor, our bad news? I believe it is because we have come to see ourselves as the star. Lord, forgive us.
Your story—regardless of how “spectacular” or “ordinary” you think it is—is a story about who God is. It is your eyewitness account of how God rescued you from your sin through Christ and changed your life as a result. When you share your testimony, you are helping others to know what God is like.
Open. Identify your life theme for your story that God used to help bring you to Him. (“My life revolved around…e.g., relationships, sports, money, recognition)
Life Before Christ. What was your life like before you came to Christ? Show your need for Christ.
Trusting Jesus. Give the details about why and how you gave your life to Christ. What was your “aha!” moment?
Your Life Since. Share changes that Christ has made in your life as they relate to your theme. Share changes in your attitude or character, not just behavior. What’s different about your life now?
Life Verse. End with a Bible verse that relates to your experience.
OH! And don’t forget…
Pray before you share your story.
Be honest.
Stay away from words of religiosity.
Keep it succinct. Aim for three to five minutes.
Practice until it becomes natural.
Here’s to the moment we can all say,
“I have a very good testimony, because I have a very good God.”
In His Grip,
Kent Williams
VIRTUALLY EXPERIENCE THE 2022 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL WINDRIDER SUMMIT
Two years ago, Young Life gave staff the opportunity to experience the Sundance Film Festival as a winter Training Timeline option for those who had finished AD school. I jumped at the opportunity, and soon found myself at a film premiere, watching a movie starring The Rock… with the The Rock in attendance about 15 rows in front of me.
Some of the highest grossing films this year, such as Shang-Chi, Dune, Black Widow, Godzilla Vs Kong, A Quiet Place 2, No Time To Die, Halloween Kills, Eternals, were ALL directed by filmmakers whose earlier films premiered at Sundance, with them in attendance alongside festival attendees like me.
Through our partnership with Fuller Theological Seminary, we’re offered a graduate level course called The Sundance Windrider Summit. The Windrider Summit is designed to encourage thoughtful conversation against the backdrop of Sundance films and inspire the next generation of Christian leaders.
Each morning, our group of Young Life staff joined a few hundred other students from about fifteen other seminaries and organizations, where instructors taught on how to look for the gospel (or lack of the gospel) through contemporary independent film. They also brought in numerous directors, currently premiering their movies at the festival, for interviews with the class.
After each morning class, we would walk through the snowy, picturesque Rocky mountain town of Park City, Utah to find our theaters and watch a movie (or two) a day. Many of those films would be introduced by the cast and director, with hopes of their movie becoming the next Sundance darling, which happened to first films made by past directors here like Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson, and Quintin Tarantino.
It was a gift to experience such an influential film festival while translating with other Young Life staff the practicals of using our world's culture as ways to teach about Christ. This class was impactful on my ability to use certain popular movies almost like parables, helping to illustrate points while teaching at Campaigners, leadership, or club. The class also helped me wrestle with what current independent films communicate about the heart of our secular-cultured ministry field.
I found many of these films reflect what we’re seeing in the broken lives of kids we care about, and the need and longing for a savior was just under the surface of each movie we watched there. These filmmakers are cultural theologians with a pulse on what matters to our furthest-out-there society, and their films can give us more empathy and language to help us communicate the gospel in a language they can understand.
Although our class is already full this year, Young Life is offering all interested staff the opportunity this January to join in VIRTUALLY from the warmth of your own home. Join students and leaders from around the world as we gather virtually during the Sundance Film Festival, January 23-28th, 2022. A fee of $250 not only gets you Zoom access into the Windrider Forum class for the week, but also access to your choice of 7 different feature films premiering at Sundance, which you can view from any screen accessible to stream online content. Sign up closes December 5th. Click here to sign up today!
Written by Ryan Mecum, Area Director (ryanmecum@gmail.com)
3-2-1 ‘GO’ Strategic Planning
(How to plan a yearly strategy during a 2 hour Committee Meeting)
“ Hope is not a STRATEGY.” -Vince Lombardi
“A vision without a STRATEGY remains an illusion.” -Lee Bowman
“ There is only one growth STRATEGY : work hard.” -William Hague
“ STRATEGY without process is little more than a wish list.” -Robert Filek
Like most epiphanies, it started with a question…
“What are THREE AREAS of focus YoungLife could prioritize to promote HEALTH & GROWTH for the next 12 months?”
While pondering my response, I was struck that the question was a perfect example of the Strategic Process. It was clear, thought provoking, and demanded engagement. 3 areas of focus tied to 2 measurements for 1 year made me FOCUS. Focus allows you to say ‘No’ because you are clear on where you have to ‘Go’! Focus helps you identify what you are going to measure and determines your agenda. Talking with leaders, I’ve noticed that most have a vision and a plan but may NOT know it. Focus helps you get your vision and plan on paper and once you do that, you are well on your way!
Below is a simple 3 step process to discern strategic focus for your community. Just by devoting a few hours with key stakeholders to gather input, foster ownership and discern a plan then the outcome will be a simple, clear and compelling strategy for the next 12 months.
STEP ONE: CHOOSE 3 AREAS OF ‘SPECIFIC’ FOCUS
“ Always start at the end before you begin.” -Robert Kiyosaki
The ‘work’ of every Young Life area around the globe is separated into 5 Core Functions.
Direct Ministry
Spiritual Development
Resource Development
Ministry Support
Leadership Development
Now, pick 3 areas of specific focus for your community/context. Each area you choose will be tied to one of the Core Functions. These are areas of focus that you feel will bring the greatest ‘leveraged effect’ to your ministry. Basically, “if we focus HERE there will be a ripple effect throughout the YL Area.” A few other reminders:
DREAM OUT LOUD: Strategy is a group activity, and I think you will be amazed at the alignment that is revealed as you ask others the question at the top of this page. Staff, Committee, Key Leaders, Major Donors, and Respected Mentors should all be brought into the conversation.
TAKE A.I.M.(Areas, Impact, Measures): As you talk and pray about where to give focus, take AIM by focusing on specific Areas, with leveraged Impact, that will be easily measured.
MAJOR IN MAJORS: The ‘day to day’ running of a YL area has many elements but the goal of this exercise is to recognize where you will place a major ‘focus.’ In addition to what typically occurs over the year, where will you place specific emphasis?
STEP TWO: DETERMINE ‘ACTION STEPS’ TIED TO THESE 2 PRIORITIES - HEALTH AND GROWTH
“The essence of STRATEGY is choosing what not to do” -Michael Porter
Step 2, the job of every Staffer, Committee member, and Chair is to foster local Health and Growth. Health means you are rooted and growth means you’re maturing. As you develop your areas of focus, think specifically how they will affect the health and growth of the YL area. To help refine your next steps, consider these questions.
What other ‘good things’ will happen because of this focus?
How will this help us reach more kids?
What will be some of the unmistakable outcomes of health and growth?
Now think through some specific measures and outcomes that are ambitious but within reach. We have some examples in our sample 3-2-1 Strategic plan HERE. (Thank You Douglas County, CO Young Life!)
STEP THREE: KEEP THE FOCUS FOR 1 YEAR
“ STRATEGY is a fancy word for coming up with a long term plan and putting it into action.” -Ellie Pidot
This 3-2-1 strategy suggests you stay the course for at least one year and my guess is that when you ‘re-up’ or revamp your plan, you may extend it to a 2nd year or longer. Ministry moves slowly and culture takes time to take root. The biggest challenge I have witnessed watching others think strategically is our inability to stay comfortable and committed as we stick to a plan.
Now what? So, you have answered the question “What are three areas of focus Young Life could prioritize to increase health & growth for the next 12 months?” Now you get to relax. This plan is your Committee Agenda going forward. Jack Welch may have said it best.“ Strategy is actually very straightforward. You pick a general direction and implement it like crazy.” 3-2-1, Now GO!
*WANT TO TALK MORE?? We will have a short (1 hour) 3-2-1 Strategic Planning training for interested Committee Chairs and AD’s via zoom in the coming weeks. Email EMILY LEWIS to reserve a spot and receive details. (Spots are limited!)
Written by: Ken Tankersley
Early Adolescence Introduction
By Julie Clapp
Global Innovation Archives
All around Young Life there are great ideas. Innovation has been a focus well before 2020 forced us to get even more creative. 5.4 Friday has celebrated these ideas each month for the last few years. If you’re looking to be inspired, or simply celebrate the innovation around us, we encourage you to browse the archives of Global Innovation from 5.4 Friday:
Dale Bruner
Click Here: The Letter to the Romans: A Short Commentary - Amazon
F. Dale Bruner is known, admired, and loved throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA), the American faith community AND around Young Life!
Bruner graduated from Occidental College, in Los Angeles, in 1954; he then earned his M.Div at Princeton Theological Seminary and his Dr. Theol at Germany’s Hamburg University. After teaching for 11 years at Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines, he came to Whitworth in 1975.
He is the author of A Theology of the Holy Spirit: The Pentecostal Experience and the New Testament Witness (Eerdmans, 1970) and Matthew: A Commentary (2 volumes; revised and expanded edition, Eerdmans, 2004). The Gospel of John: A Commentary was released in 2012. Bruner also co-authored, with William Holden, The Holy Spirit: Shy Member of the Trinity (Augsburg, 1983). Look for his newest release, The Letter to the Romans: A Short Commentary (Eerdmans), which will release in October of 2021.
During his 22 years as George & Lyda Wasson Professor of Religion at Whitworth, Bruner touched the lives of countless students. His passion for teaching the biblical narrative, for scholarship and for church renewal made him one of Whitworth’s most influential professors. Bruner’s influence extends far beyond the generation of students he taught and mentored at Whitworth. In fact, during his tenure at the college, he spoke and taught at hundreds of churches all over the country. Here, too, his passion for the gospel and his utter belief in the healing power of the church was infectious, and he became one of the most sought-after speakers in the Presbyterian Church. He continues to have a vital teaching ministry in the PCUSA.
Bruner retired from Whitworth in 1997. He and his wife of 51 years, Kathy, moved to Pasadena, CA, where Bruner embarked on new studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Acknowledging his single-minded, scholarly nature, he adds, “Most afternoons after work Kathy and I walk together in the park so that I can learn to ‘chat’, my single major challenge in life.” On Sunday mornings during the school year he enjoys teaching the Good News Sunday-school class with his wife and another couple at his home church, The First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. He wrote us, “I am deeply grateful to God for the privilege of studying and teaching what I believe with the Church is the single most important subject in the world: the gospel of Jesus Christ."
SUMMER STAFF IS NOT JUST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS ANYMORE
VIDEO NAME: Ellen Conrad (73 year old Summer Staffer)
LENGTH: 4:45
MESSAGE
Ellen Conrad is involved with Young Life locally in Ohio, but saw a need for Summer Staff team members this summer and dove in. Even though she is in her 70’s, she saw a need and supported that need to support campaign at Rockbridge. Sometimes we can think outside of the box and meet needs within Young Life.
CONTEXT
● Understand what Summer Staff entails and paint a picture of what that service looks like.
● Plant seeds in people’s minds of how they can get creative and innovative with their acts of service. If they have an idea, they can express it and help meet needs around the ministry.
SETTING FOR VIEWING
This is a perfect video for several settings:
● Share with propspective Summer Staffers to give them a picture of what it means to be on Summer Staff.
● Share with your committee and other friends of YL in your community to help cast a vision of how we can think outside of the box on the traditional volunteer roles.
CAUGHT MORE THAN TAUGHT
(increasing your Committee IQ)
Ted Johnson (former Committee member, Young Life Foundation Director, Board of Trustee member, Chief Encouragement Officer, and interim YL President) famously described his first Adult Guest experience as when he ‘GOT DIPPED’ in Young Life. He would often mention that after seeing...
The Mission’s commitment to Christ and prayer
The genius of Contact Work and Club
The heart of Volunteer Leaders
The beauty, hospitality, and commitment to excellence of a Young Life Camp
The focus on relationships and the furthest out.
The lightness in our spirit, our freedom of theology, and humor
...and He never looked back. What he experienced was ‘ON-Boarding.’ Simply put, this is when someone acquires the knowledge, skills, and behavior to be a valued member of a group, organization, or ministry. In our view, on-boarding never stops. It is the process of going deeper through the concentric circles that go from Seeing & Understanding the ministry to Partnering & Leading.
An EXERCISE: Check the boxes below on THE STATE OF YOUR COMMITTEE
✅ We have Great people who love Christ, Kids, and each other!
✅ We have a clear set of expectations and terms
✅ We have a plan and a vision!
✅ Our Committee members have the right gifting to address the current needs of our Area
We NEED a Committee Orientation plan during the first 12 months someone is on Committee.
We NEED to have a Continuing Education plan for ‘seasoned’ Committee members after year one.
What you need is a plan to help the Committee ‘Get Dipped!’ Below is a result of some of the best practices from Committees around the Globe. These are simple experiences that up the Committee IQ of your local committee members and create a learning culture within this key volunteer group. Below are two tables. (Table 1) is a list of experiences for Committee orientation for year 1. (Table 2) Is a list of additional experiences or Continuing education for all Committee members
Since Young Life is ‘caught more than taught,’ below are 4 STEPS TO COMMITTEE ON-BOARDING
STEP 1- Print out on-boarding table #1 or #2 as is or add your own experiences.
STEP 2- Have new and current committee members pick an ambitious but reasonable # of experiences to achieve this year. (suggested 3-5)
STEP 3- Make this list part of your monthly Committee meeting agenda and dedicate a block of time for a member to ‘report’ on what they have done!
STEP 4- Get ready to have a more engaged, passionate, and informed Committee, Board or Adult Support team.
One last step- if you have an onboarding experience that isn’t listed- let me know!! Email Tank.
-Contributors (Frank Ivey, Newt and Susan Crenshaw, Blake Raney, Emily Lewis, Ken Tankersley, Valerie Morris, Dave Avramovich, Tim Hartin, Rob Anderson, Eric Protzman, Keith Dow, Jeff Huber, Jon Mueller, Gill Richard, Anneke Brown, Kimberly Silvernale)
PRINCIPALS: THE MISSING LINK
About ten years ago, I sat with a group of Area Directors from all over the country that seemed to have question after question regarding how school systems work. They were well trained in Young Life, but felt very lacking when dealing with the educational system. I hope I have a unique perspective that can be of some use to you as you spread the good news. In Young Life we can take away two important truths about schools.
Young Life staff should have a healthy relationship with the principal of the school you serve.
When you walk onto campus you are entering a community. You are not just doing contact work with young people at the basketball game, you are ministering to the adults also.
Who is the Principal? Context is important. When you communicate with the principal, it is helpful to know they are...
busy, very short on time
responsible and accountable for everything that happens at their school
receiver of all complaints about the school
trained to think about what is the worst thing that could happen at their school
What are things to talk about when I get a meeting with the principal?
Honor the principal’s time- Expect a 15 minute meeting.
Do prepwork. Visit the website, and read the volunteer handbook. Think of ways to help.
The meeting is about how you can help without any agenda. Respect the authority and win them over.
Prepare and deliver a very short speech about Young Life and what your purpose is in the school.
Be a Humble servant. Honesty is important. But remember, you are at the school to serve.
Pay close attention to the response noting body language.
If you are getting cold negative vibes, end the meeting as soon as politely possible and continue to pray. Continue to build relationships with them when you see them. Value the quick, “hello.”
The missing link in your community, the principal, is the most influential person at the school and likely in your community. You are on the same team as the principal and school staff. Win them over by doing what you do with kids. Pray, enter into their world, and humbly show up.
Common Statements and Questions about schools
What if I cannot get a meeting with the principal?
Don’t take it personally. Remember all the things mentioned that the principal has on their plate. Earn the right to be heard by praying, loving, respecting, and saying hello when you can. Go ahead and do your thing.
Volunteer at the school
Want to impact the community? Volunteer in a school. Not only do schools need volunteers, but they need great volunteers they can count on. Ones that show up when they say they will, ones that don’t gossip, ones that pray for the students and adults, ones that shine with Jesus. If you spent one afternoon or morning at a school, you have just done more quality contact work in that day than you could do in a month of weekly contact work at after school events. How can you afford not to fit this into your busy schedule? You meet students, you meet counselors, teachers, parents, the front office secretary or admin assistant – you get to know how things work at this place God has sent you.
Why is the principal glaring at me when I sit in the student section at games?
It is the principal's job to protect kids and they will be wondering why you are hanging around all the time if you do not have a relationship with the administration. Are you a pedophile, or you can’t seem to make any adult friends, so you are trying to befriend my high school kids, or just what is your motivation? You must admit that an adult, going to a school event, sitting in the student section, is a bit of a stretch for someone who does not know you and has not met Jesus yet. They may not understand the mission of going where the kids are… yet. (Keep sitting in the student section, they need you.)
Our Principal is so incredible and so supportive of Young Life!
That is awesome. I see this happen often when Young Life staff and volunteers have earned the trust and respect of the principal and school community. When you have a principal that is overly supportive be careful and don’t put them in a position or situation that is precarious. When something goes south, it is still the principal that will be held responsible and it does not shine a good light on our witness. Know the boundaries of what you can and cannot do on school grounds legally and never ask for more than that. Take care of that principal that sees what God is doing on their campus through Young Life.
Bio info about Don Nesbitt
For the last thirty-two years Don has worked as a high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, district director and recently retired as assistant superintendent of a large school district in Boise, Idaho. He was a Young Life leader for 18 years, chaired the local and regional committees for several years and loves the ministry of Young Life. Currently, he chairs a group of retired educators who support the ministry of Young Life, The Retired Educators Consortium. Don has a beautiful wife, Tammy, of 38 years and two adult children Cody and Molly and a daughter-in-law, Allee.
THE FOUR MENTORS EVERYONE NEEDS
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” I don’t know if there are ten more intimidating words or a more stress inducing question. It just seems to make so many assumptions.
It assumes that you don’t know already.
It assumes that you should have an answer.
It assumes that you're not grown up- otherwise the question wouldn’t have been needed.
More poignantly, the question reveals that God’s ultimate design for men and women is never over. We are always evolving, maturing, transforming, and ‘becoming.’ Bottom line: we never fully arrive. It is one of the ‘perks’ of a life of faith and evidence of the existence of God. We are constantly being formed. One assumption that seems reasonable is that it would behoove us to have an answer as to the general direction and destination of our lives. Answering that question may take a lifetime. That’s why scripture is ‘thick’ with ‘becoming’ language.
Paul writes about being ‘set apart’ and becoming an Apostle in Romans 1.
Acts 2 addresses the transformation that happens when a body of believers becomes a community focused on mission.
John 15 highlights the discipline of pruning and the fruit that becomes evident in an abiding relationship with Christ.
Truly, discipleship (disciple-making) is more verb than noun, and as Young LIfe volunteers have been found to say over the years “God loves you just the way you are but He is not willing to leave you there.” Basically, faith is a journey.
As I've grown in my own awareness of blind spots, shortcomings, and gaps, I have been struck by the deep need for strong voices to speak God’s truth into my life. I’ve always known that it takes a community of adults to reach a community of adolescents, but only recently realized it takes a village to raise a Young Life staff person. The topic of mentorship has enjoyed a revival recently because of the keenly felt desire to identify a person or group of people who advise and walk alongside you through life.
Last year, I decided to pursue a team of FOUR mentors. I am sure I need dozens, but I felt like four was both ambitious and attainable. All four focus on distinct areas of my life and development.
A PASTORAL MENTOR - This is a person(s) that speaks directly into my interior life and life of faith. They are a safe place to share areas of celebration, lament, and doubt without judgement. I have given them the ability to help discern my next chapter of faith. They...
Provide a space for me to enjoy pursuit of what is most dear: my spiritual formation.
Challenge me to sharpen my tools of listening, obedience, humility, and hearing from God.
Prescribe exercises in areas of spiritual intimacy, calling, and growth.
A PERSONAL MENTOR - This is a person(s) that works with me as a whole person. They know everything. The good, the bad, and the messy. They are aware of my failures and daliences as well as successes and achievements. They...
Provide space for laughter, tears, venting, and listening.
Challenge my fears, concerns, long held beliefs, and tendencies.
Prescribe next steps toward life goals, plans, and principles.
A PROFESSIONAL MENTOR - This person(s) speaks into my specific development around my job, calling, and career. They operate as a coach in developing specific gifts and skills. They...
Provide input on my professional leadership development.
Challenge any tendency to play it safe or practice self-protection and seek development opportunities.
Prescribe exercises for skill development, and formation of leadership philosophy and self awareness.
A PUBLISHED MENTOR- This person(s) may be the most fun to identify. They are a writer or author (living/dead) that at their best, causes you to think outside the friendly confines of your own mind. This is your chance to ask CS Lewis, St. Augustine, or Brother Lawrence to mentor you. Come on! They...
Provide a different point of view and broaden your perspective.
Challenge your long held beliefs and stances and disrupt your thinking.
Prescribe a change in posture and help you ask questions, listen better, and seek to understand.
It’s just that simple: four voices/one person - YOU! A community that speaks to your innermost self and your most outward expression. They provide space, challenge the status quo, and prescribe next steps. These are the people that carry weight in your life. To be clear,
it can be one person in each category or a group.
They can be female or male or preferably both!
They can serve in this role for a season, or a lifetime.
If we are going to continue to ‘become’ as we grow up- we need them! “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” -Galatians 4:19
*A DISCLAIMER: You may have a better system, this has just tended to work for me. It didn’t come from a book or manual but more from my own observations by looking in the mirror. If you try it- let ME know how it goes.
Written by Ken Tankersley
I HAD NO IDEA
LENGTH:
2.5 Minutes
MESSAGE
God continues to surprise us as we experience Him through Young Life and camping. Hear from staff, volunteers, campers, and more about how they were surprised by their experiences.
CONTEXT
Each shot in here represents a variety of faces within the Young Life community.
This video has a long ‘shelf life’ and a timeless feel
UNIQUENESS
Perfect length. Just under 3 minutes.
This video represents the impact of Young Life ministry and camping ministry.
SETTING FOR VIEWING
This is a perfect video for several settings.
Use to inspire your volunteer leaders and facilitate a discussion.
Share with Committee to discuss the impact of Young Life
Send as a reminder to your larger mission community during this Season or as we seek to continue to find a way to reach the next kid.
This video has been used in larger group gatherings easily and has been used as an ‘opening video’ for the start of a larger event.
GIVING THE BANQUET "PITCH"
Giving the financial pitch at your local banquet is not something for any of us to be scared of. In fact, it is a truly exciting part of the banquet night! This training post will help you create a simple, clear pitch to give at your banquet.
Giving the financial pitch at your local banquet is not something for any of us to be scared of. In fact, it is a truly exciting part of the banquet night! It’s the great “invite” to potential investors to step aboard this fast-moving and powerful train that belongs to the Lord. We’re asking them to come with us!
Whether you or someone else in your community is giving the pitch at your banquet, there are some critical things we’ve got to communicate in a concise amount of time.
Below are the top 10 things that need to be communicated in a banquet pitch.
1 You’re so glad they came!
2 You believe Young Life is a vibrant ministry worthy of your own investment.
3 Remind them of the impact they heard about at the banquet...briefly.
4 We can’t do this without the help of fine people like you in this community. They are helping make the impact with kids.
5 Refer to the annual budget printed in your program...remind them of the budget figure.
6 Walk them through the pledge card...quickly and carefully.
7 Explain the EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) process quickly and carefully.
8 Walk them through the “Ways to get involved” portion of the card while only highlighting two or three of the options.
9 Explain how your team is wanting to handle the envelope-to-host or envelope-to-bucket process.
10 Tell them about “Music to Pledge by,” thank them again and come back up after 60 to 90 seconds (they have been filling out the pledge card the entire time you were talking) and pray to end the night.
Additional thoughts on giving the pitch...
• Make sure the committee has put pens on every table and individual envelopes into which folks can place their check and pledge card, not just one large envelope!
• Be brief! You should go no longer than five to six minutes. The audience has already heard testimonies and the main speaker, and to be extremely blunt, you weren't asked to do either of those jobs. They are leaning forward, and you get to tell them exactly how to jump in with us.
• Walk through the pledge card, and have everyone fill one out even if they are not giving. This gets everyone writing.
• Speak about investing, rather than giving.
• Communicate that it's your privilege to give... not that we are begging for money. And never apologize for asking for money.
• Encourage monthly giving. Let them know monthly giving helps us in the following ways: We have monthly expenses, just like you do. We'd also like you to think about Young Life every month, rather than just once a year. And we'd like to build a team of folks who are engaged in this ministry all year, rather than just at the banquet.
• It's important that you tell folks not to take the pledge card home. Seventy-five percent of those who take it home will never mail it back. We need folks to commit that night, while the warm fuzzies are still in the air!
• Itis good to remind folks to write their first check that night if they're giving monthly. This helps us to pay for the banquet.
• When you give folks an opportunity for other kinds of involvement, do not highlight more than three. Psychologists have discovered people find more and more choices to actually be debilitating and more than three can overwhelm people into making no choice at all.
• The banquet is NOT a time to highlight another fundraising event you have next semester. They are here, now, ready to give. Don't move their minds toward giving another time.
• Don't make the "music to pledge by" interlude very long. It should be background music, not entertainment or a performance!
Below is an example of a simple, brief banquet financial pitch. It is six minutes long including the time to come back up and close the evening. Take time to watch it and take note of what is said, and more importantly, what is NOT said.
Check off only the elements that were included in this financial pitch.
Choose all that apply
Monthly Giving
A verse he felt led to share
His personal involvement with Young Life
Thanking the guests for attending
The impact Young Life is having on the community
A funny opening story
The total budget number for the area
The spring golf tournment, skeet shoot, garage sale, lawn-dart-athon, etc...
Electroninc Funds Transfer
The range of one-time gifts.
A spiritual insight from his quiet time this morning
Remember, it's more about what NOT to say than it is what to say. Since you are not the main speaker, you have no pressure to come up with another "message" for the evening.
An artist who chooses three colors from his palate to paint a picture can create something beautiful. If he keeps going back the palate for every color, he just winds up creating a big, brown mess.
Don't keep reaching back for more colors and create a mess with your pitch. Less is more! Paint a beautiful clear picture for your investors.
This pitch person was embarrased to ask for money and apologetic about it.
True
False
It's been said in marketing, "Don't be cute, be clear." The same goes for giving a banquet pitch. If people are not called to give, that's God's business. However, if they choose not to give because we were vague, confusing, or unclear, then shame on us.
Author Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz) discusses the need to be clear when we are asking people to join us in his blog post, "Why You Are Leading, and Nobody is Following."
"Dare to be clear. How can any of us get what we want in life if we don’t communicate what we want clearly? Amateurs are vague but professionals communicate clearly.
Everybody kind of knows what they want, but few people have taken the time to reflect so they can communicate in such a way people understand. Most leaders kind of know where they want to take people but revolutionary leaders say it clearly.
This is especially important for leaders. The reality of leadership is this: The world is standing before you, curious, asking where you’d like to take them. If you kind of have an answer, they’ll follow somebody else.
If you want to be a leader, communicate clearly because that’s the only way anybody can know whether or not they want to join you.
In my own life, when I’ve not communicated clearly where I’ve wanted to take people, it’s because of one of two reasons — either I didn’t know myself, or I was too afraid to risk rejection. Either reason disqualifies me from leadership.
Know where you want to take people and ask them to come with you. Then, confidently take them there."
Finally, and most importantly, pray! Pray that God would give you the words to help you be clear. Pray for boldness. Pray for the hearts of those attending the banquet. Pray first that they would hear the Gospel. Then pray that they will be moved to participate in what God is doing through Young Life in their community.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:1
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
Be confident! Be excited! If you are giving the pitch, God has chosen you for this assignment, and he will be with you all along the way. You will have a great impact on the lives of kids in your community!
And remember...
"Know where you want to take people and ask them to come with you. Then, confidently take them there."
THE POWER OF A NAME…..”MITCH”
(Remembering and celebrating the life of Bob Mitchell)
A mononymous person is an individual who is known and addressed by a single name. Famously, celebrities and historical figures like Adele, Plato, Beyoncé, Shaq, Drake, Socrates and Prince tend to earn the moniker. In Young Life, there are few in our history distinguished by a mononym. ‘Mitch.’ (Bob Mitchell) is at the top of the list. Mitch died on May 19, 2021 and his passing leaves a profound hole in the mission. A short bio of Mitch’s life of faith and ministry with YL can be found on page 11 of Relationships magazine HERE. It has been well documented; Bob Mitchell had done it all!!
From Club Kid to Young Life President
High School Work Crew, to creator of the Young Life Training Department
Legendary Program Director, to compelling Camp Speaker,
Disciple of Jim Rayburn, to model-of-faith to the entire mission.
I have had the privilege to live a short drive from Bob and Claudia Mitchell for the last several years. Although being that close to one of the legendary couples of the YL mission should have been enough, I wanted more. I just knew that good things would happen if I could keep them both around, so our staff created an honorary role for them: CHAPLAIN. No compensation, business cards, or vehicle lease-just an offer for consistent access and interaction with our staff. What a gift that season was to us!
A chaplain in the military has a specific role of presence with a wide berth in how it looks day to day.
CHAPLAIN DEFINITION: The Chaplain's responsibilities include performing religious rites, conducting worship services, providing confidential counseling and advising commanders on religious, spiritual and moral matters. Chaplains are commissioned officers stationed wherever there are military members, including challenging environments in conflict.
In summary, a chaplain stays around. That is exactly what I wanted Mitch to do. Mitch knew better than anyone I know what the YL staff person's day to day life looks like. He defined it and had lived it better than most so he became much more than a chaplain. In our lives, he ultimately embraced many titles.
Here are a few:
SAGE: (A mature and venerable person of sound judgement.)
Mitch served in practically every role in the YL mission. When he spoke, the wisdom rested gently on the listener and they were changed. His words carried weight.
HISTORIAN: (A person who studies or writes about the past with authority)
Mitch was the YL archivist in any room he entered and a gift to any gathering. If Mitch arrived, you would gladly relinquish the mic and just let him speak. You would never tire of the same selection of tales from the early years because he spoke to the WHY of the WHAT. When you left, you were reminded of what really mattered.
PROPHET: (One gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight.)
Mitch had confidence about the Lord’s movement and spoke with conviction. He moved us with nuance through challenging waters culturally and theologically. He spoke truth with grace. (A lost art)
PASTOR: (A spiritual overseer)
Mitch was one of the great encouragers and connectors to the core of the mission. He ALWAYS brought conversations back to Jesus and you left refreshed and ready. Nothing better.
ICON: (A person widely admired for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere.)
The fact that we still roll in laughter performing the sketches that started with Mitch or giving our own spin on the illustrations and insights to scripture that had their beginning with him speaks to the wisdom, longevity and staying power of his gifting.
MENTOR: (A trusted counselor or guide.) Mitch was unencumbered. He had given much of his life to being a pastor and YL staffer but in this volunteer role, he could give simple, clear and unbiased counsel. He was honest, direct, and humble. A triple threat in a mentor.
MODEL: (An example for imitation) I still strive to be a missionary like Mitch. I want to have an unwavering heart for the lost. I want to emulate his quick wit, humor, and timing. Paint a picture and tell a tale with words like he did, but most of all, I want to exude a familiarity with Christ that’s intimate. Nothing is more attractive.
Maybe that's the way you get assigned a mononym. You are given one name because you really have earned several. Jesus had dozens of titles like Savior, Redeemer, Bread of LIfe, Teacher, and Lord to name a few so that is why IMMANUEL (God with Us) summed them all up. It seems fitting and makes sense.
Mitch, our Chaplain, earned many titles just by staying around. Ultimately, to us, he became …the PHYSICAL representation of the VISIBLE expression, of the INVISIBLE God …and that is why we will miss him so much! Many of the original ‘Club Kids’ are gone now, but we all have a corner of the world where God has called us to be present.
Thanks Mitch, for being with us! (Mitch’s celebration of life occurred this past month. Give yourself a gift and watch it HERE. It is available for a few more days.)
Written By: Ken B Tank. and thousands of YL Staff over the years
THIS BASEBALL TEAM REMINDED US OF…..well Us!
(How we became big fans of the Savannah Bananas!)
Have you ever been to a baseball game where the players run around in kilts?
How about a game where the team owner walks around in a bright yellow tuxedo?
Welcome to Banana-Land!
Banana-land is a place where baseball enthusiasts, and everyone else come together and ALL have fun. It’s a baseball experience like none other. Full stop.
They’ve done things like remove advertising from the stands, create a dance team of the Banana Nanas (grandmas!), player uniforms in kilts, and more! They’ve made their tickets all-inclusive because who likes to pay high prices for stadium food?! They even created their own version of the game called Banana Ball, which has special rules designed to speed up the game of baseball and max it out at a 2 hour time limit.
The energy is FRESH and FUN when you get around the Savannah Bananas. They’ve made baseball FUN again by focusing on the experience and community around the game. The baseball playing is actually just a small part of what they do. The real magic happens all around you and you don’t even think about it - you just experience it.
Sound familiar, Young Life family??
“We exist to make baseball fun.”
In Young Life, we call club a party with a purpose. Camp is designed to help let kids be kids again and have a ton of fun. We know there’s calculated effort into the fun we create around Young Life activities. It’s not just fun for the sake of fun. There’s depth there behind all of the fun around Young Life, but sometimes it’s the fun that gets kids’ attention.
I dare you to watch the video above. You’ll be hooked and want to watch more of the Savannah Bananas. Why? It’s contagious. People are smiling. They’re laughing. They’re having FUN.
“We’re not in the baseball business. We’re in the entertainment business. ...We’ve got nothing to lose.”
We’re not in the entertainment business. We are in the business of the gospel. Sure, we have a lot of fun and we can do camp really well, and we can do program and skits really well. On the outside it may seem like that’s all we are about. But, just like the Bananas know they aren’t really in the baseball business, we know we’re in this thing called Young Life for much deeper reasons.
“Every night is someone’s first game.”
What if we took this quote from the Banana’s leadership team to heart and applied it to Young Life? It’s true. Every night is someone’s first Young Life club. That means we show up 100 percent, go over the top, get creative, get innovative, and make it memorable.
“When you have fun, you play better.”
I think all of us in Young Life will agree. When we have fun, ministry is simply better. Sometimes we can get bogged down by the rules, the restrictions, the red tape, and we forget that when you’re having fun, it’s better. If you need some reminders of how to have fun, just watch a few of these videos about the Savannah Bananas.
I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of baseball. But, the Savannah Bananas have made me want to plan a trip to Savannah Georgia, just so I can go to a baseball game! That’s how contagious their energy is. I can’t help but wonder, as I watch more and more about this team, how we, in Young Life, can innovate too. Be inspired by a group of people who bought a bankrupt team and turned it into a sellout experience that the entire community (and arguably, the world) wants to be part of!
Written by: Valerie Morris